Prabhas' 'Salaar' withdraws release from PVR and INOX in south due to Shah Rukh Khan's 'Dunki'

Prabhas and Prashanth Neel’s ‘Salaar’ was all set for a grand release in southern markets on December 22. However, a report by Bollywood Hungama has said the makers have withdrawn the release in two major multiplexes PVR and INOX in the southern region and the reason reported is Shah Rukh Khan and Rajkumar Hirani’s Dunki. What happened? A source told the portal, “ Salaar  team is planning to hurt the multiplex chains - PVR-Inox and Miraj - where it hurts the most. The makers have withdrawn the release of Salaar from the multiplex chains in the South Indian Markets. They won’t be releasing Salaar in any of their properties in the South Market.” Divulging in further details, the source added, “PVR-Inox is the market leader and the showcasing there will be followed by all the single screen owners. When SRK and team got to know about PVR-Inox opting for equal showcasing, it was time for the King to step into the ground and pull off his cards to do what’s best for his film. He spoke directly to the PVR Owner and has got 100 percent showcasing deal done at all single screens in PVR-Inox. The decision of screen sharing was overnight changed and this has resulted in sending shock waves to Anil Thadani and everyone at Hombale.” Single-screen owners’ plight An exhibitor told Bollywood Hungama, “Clashes have happened in the past too and its the right of every exhibitor to decide on his showcasing. How can they be unreasonable in demanding all four shows in single screens, when the opposition is also a mass friendly film? We are ready to favour Dunki and give it 3 shows as compared to 2 for Salaar. But it is absolutely unfair on the part of the Pen Marudhar to demand all the shows.” He added, “We respect Shah Rukh Khan  and hence are ready to prefer Dunki over Salaar but we can’t completely ignore the film. There are enquiries for Salaar and we have to balance out the showcasing for our audience.”